But Van Gaal, who said he will "always fight", admitted Woodward's backing of him was a double-edged sword, putting the 64-year-old under greater pressure to succeed.

Backing: Ed Woodward has always stuck by Van Gaal (Image: Getty)

“It's fantastic of course, but also that gives you a lot of pressure, because when the board has such confidence in you, then the pressure is much higher than when they say it's your last game or something like that,” said Van Gaal.

“When your confidence is not so high, you can fight against it, but I always fight. I am always fighting.

"When you fight, you have a bigger motivation than when they support you."

That's a United side comprising club legends like European footballer of the year George Best, Denis Law, Nobby Stiles and Bobby Charlton, in a squad which is a veritable who's who of the great and good of British football.

Big bucks: Rooney earns more in a week than United's 68-69 squad took home in a year

But those players pocketed a fraction of what today's superstars are paid, and showcases the financial growth at the top end of English football in the last 50 years.